Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,26

my Stella.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, although I wish it were under different circumstances.” Cyrus was dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt. His feet were bare, but that didn’t surprise Zeke. His brother was used to the colder climate of his home state.

“Bed or sofa?” Zeke wanted Stella to be comfortable.

“Sofa please.”

“I’ll give you a tour of the house when you feel up to it. For now, let’s get you settled.” Zeke placed his mate on the couch, knowing it was comfortable. He was of the mindset that furniture was for function more than looks. Cyrus held out a soft blanket Zeke didn’t remember having.

“Since I only brought a couple changes of clothes, I went shopping last night. I saw this and thought it would keep Stella warm.” Cyrus blushed as he explained where the blanket came from.

“Thank you, Cyrus. That was very thoughtful.” Stella brushed her hands over the covering, smiling at Zeke’s brother. His beast bristled inside.

Stop it. Stella is ours, and Cyrus is gay. He was doing something nice for our mate.

But we take care of our mate.

And we will, but I want them to get along. They are both important to me, and I want Cyrus in my life too.

By the wonderful aroma wafting from the kitchen, Cyrus had been cooking. “What smells so good?” Zeke asked.

“I fixed a pot of soup and some cornbread.”

“I can’t wait to try it. Stella, do you feel up to eating?”

“Yes. I’m surprised you both can’t hear my stomach protesting. Plus, I need to eat something so I can take my medicine.” Stella looked around the living room. Zeke hadn’t decorated much in the ten years since he bought the place. The walls were painted light blue with gray accents. The living room opened to the dining area just off the kitchen. French doors opened to a large deck on the back of the house overlooking the ocean. Steps off the deck led to a small stretch of sand. Most of the houses were stacked on top of each other, but Zeke had managed to find the one on the strip with the most property. He had neighbors on either side, but they weren’t so close they could easily see in his windows.

“I love it here,” Cyrus said between bites of soup. “I took a walk on the beach and met some of the neighbors. Everyone is friendly without being nosy.”

“I know what you mean. When I stopped off at the diner the night before you and I met, everyone knew who you were.” Zeke hadn’t told Cyrus about meeting Maggie.

“Please tell me you didn’t run into Maggie.”

Zeke grinned after wiping his mouth on a paper towel. “Sure did. I have to say, you broke the woman’s heart.”

Cyrus shook his head. “She needs to let that go. It’s been years. Don’t get me wrong. I feel bad for how things ended, but it was during that time I realized I was gay. I broke it off because it wouldn’t lead to marriage the way she wanted. I could only make so many excuses about why…” Cyrus glanced at Stella and blushed. “Anyway, I can’t say all of our problems were my fault. The woman has dated several men since me, and yet she’s still single.”

“Wait, you said the night before you met.” Stella arched her eyebrows at Zeke.

Fuck. “Yeah, I have several siblings who were given up for adoption. Cyrus was one of them, and before this week, we had never met. It’s a long story, one I promise to tell you soon. There’s some things we need to talk about.”

“Is Cyrus like you?” Stella asked, absently stirring her soup.

“Like me?”

“Different. I heard you talking to me, or maybe I was dreaming. Never mind. Cyrus, this soup is delicious. Where did you learn to cook?”

Zeke had thought Stella was asleep when he rambled on about being a shifter. But if she heard him, why wasn’t she freaking out?

“My mom taught me. I grew up an only child, and I learned about ranching from my father, but my mom was of the opinion I needed to know how to take care of myself too, so she taught me how to cook, wash clothes, sew on buttons, things like that. Dad taught me to drive, change the oil in my truck, build things. I’m pretty well-rounded.”

Stella smiled at him. “They sound like wonderful parents. I never knew my dad, and the men my mother married afterward were less than stellar.